Santa Barbara City College Announces Measure P Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee Representatives
Bobbi Abram, Support Organization Representative (SBCC Foundation)
Celeste Barber, At Large Community Representative
Marco Bonometti, Associated Student Government Representative (SBCC ASG)
Lucille Boss, At Large Community Representative
Aruni Boteju, Business Organization Representative (BMO Bank)
Katherine Davidson, At Large Community Representative
Dale Francisco, Taxpayer’s Organization Representative (Santa Barbara County Taxpayer Advocacy Center)
Steven Fellows, At Large Community Representative
Karen Hickman, Senior Citizen Group Representative (Meals on Wheels)
The SBCC Board of Trustees approved all nine of the applicants in their January 16, 2025, Board Meeting. Each applicant was able to provide a two-minute speech on how their skills and backgrounds would benefit the CBOC.
Watch their speeches here.
“The majority of the Board of Trustees wanted to include a diversity of opinions on the Measure P Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee, even people who were openly against Measure P,” shared SBCC Board of Trustees President Jonathan Abboud. “We welcomed everyone who applied to be transparent and to build trust with our community’s college. I’m excited for them to get to work and help our community.”
The Measure P CBOC will meet quarterly on the dates of Monday, March 24, Tuesday, June 3, Tuesday, September 16, and Tuesday, December 16 and will meet in person at SBCC’s West Cliff Campus in the MacDougal Administration Building on the second floor in room A211. Community members will be able to view the quarterly meetings in-person and via YouTube. Please check our Measure P Transparency website for additional information.
Meet the Measure P CBOC Members
Bobbi Abram
Bobbi Abram is the Chief Executive Officer of the SBCC Foundation. She has spent most of her career as a leader in nonprofit and higher education fundraising and administration and served as Executive Director of the Pasadena City College (PCC) Foundation from 2012 until joining the SBCC Foundation in May of 2024. She was the principal officer of the Measure P Campaign. She began her career in higher education advancement in 1987 as Executive Director of the Foundation at the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law. She entered the community college advancement field when she joined Johnson County Community College, Overland Park, Kansas, as Manager of Alumni Relations and Development. She expanded her experience by becoming the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Central Exchange in Kansas City, a non-profit membership organization that supported the personal and professional growth of women. Since then, she has worked at the Metropolitan Community Colleges Foundation and Pasadena City College Foundation as Executive Director. She is Past President of the Network of California Community College Foundations’ Board of Directors.
Celeste Barber
At Large Community Representative
Celeste Barber is a junior college graduate (Pierce College, Woodland Hills). For
twenty years, she taught in SBCC's English Department, where she served as coordinator
for the Great Books program. Celeste Barber was nominated by faculty for the California
Hayward Award, Excellence in Teaching (2015).
Marco Bonometti
Associated Student Government Representative (SBCC ASG)
Marco Bonometti is an active student leader at Santa Barbara City College, serving
as the Commissioner of Fundraising in the Associated Student Government and as an
active member of the Ambassadors program to support international students. At SBCC,
Marco is also an officer in the Philosophy Club and a member of the Honors Program,
reflecting his deep involvement in campus life. Off-campus, he engages in community
outreach through volunteer work, internships, and mentoring high school DECA (Distributive
Education Clubs of America) students in business administration, marketing, and leadership.
Marco's passion for student advocacy, financial responsibility, and community engagement
underscores his commitment to making a positive impact both on and off campus.
Lucille Boss
At Large Community Representative
Lucille Boss is a San Diego native and moved to Santa Barbara to attend Santa Barbara
City College. As a Central Coast community member, Lucille has served in advocacy,
outreach, communications, and planning roles with various nonprofits and is currently
a planning commissioner for the City of Santa Barbara. Lucille currently serves as
the Housing Programs Manager for the County of Santa Barbara, where she oversees the
execution of community-serving capital and affordable housing development projects.
Previously, Lucille was the inaugural director of the SBCC Promise for the Santa Barbara
City College Foundation and a volunteer program manager for Partners in Education
(Santa Barbara County Education Office), where she worked to connect community volunteers
with local classroom needs. Lucille looks forward to sharing the progress on campus
as a result of the community’s vote in support of SBCC.
Aruni Boteju
Business Organization Representative (BMO Bank)
Aruni Boteju, born and raised in Sri Lanka, is a seasoned leader with over 25 years
of experience in banking and finance, specializing in business management and community
development. She is the founder and President/CEO of the Ceylon International Film
Festival in Santa Barbara, dedicated to promoting Sri Lankan and South Asian culture
through cinema. Aruni serves as the treasurer and executive board member of the Sri
Lanka America Association of Southern California, as well as a board member of the
Rotary Club Charitable Foundation and an active member of the Rotary Club of Santa
Barbara. She is also the treasurer and executive board member of the Greater Santa
Barbara Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, where she chairs the Workshop and Education
Committee and the Financial Committee while contributing as a member of the Policy
Committee. Additionally, she was a board member for Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV)
and the Spirit of Women Entrepreneurs, which later merged with WEV. As a mother, she
is committed to fostering diversity, education, and opportunities that empower communities
to thrive.
Katherine Davidson
At Large Community Representative
Although born in Buffalo, New York, Katherine Davidson has been a lifelong resident
of California. She moved to Santa Barbara to attend college and eventually graduated
with honors with a BA in Sociolgy from UCSB (her time on campus included stints as
an admissions officer and an undergraduate advisor). While staying home to raise two
children, Katherine volunteered extensively at her children’s schools. She then returned
to school herself, acquired a teaching credential from Cal State Northridge, and embarked
on a 20-year career teaching in both public and private settings. In addition to teaching,
Katherine’s community service over the years includes past membership on two different
school Governing Boards, political activism, and philanthropy.
Dale Francisco
Taxpayer’s Organization Representative (Santa Barbara County Taxpayer Advocacy Center)
Dale Francisco has lived in Santa Barbara since 1979. He is an alumnus of Santa Barbara
City College, and, after transferring, was a UCSB graduate in Computer Science and
in English. His career has been as a software engineer in the telecommunications industry.
He also served two terms on Santa Barbara City Council (2008-2015), where his main
interests were city finances, public safety, and water.
Steven Fellows
At Large Community Representative
Steven Fellows has a 40-year career in healthcare administration. Steve retired after
16-years as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Cottage Health.
He previously served as the President for San Gabriel Valley Medical Center, Senior
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Glendale Memorial Hospital and as the
Assistant Administrator for Professional Services for Sutter Memorial Hospital in
Sacramento. He holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from George Fox University,
a Master of Arts in student development from Azusa Pacific University and a Master
of Health Administration from Washington University School of Medicine. He has lived
in Santa Barbara for over 20 years, where he resides with his wife, Denice.
Karen Hickman
Senior Citizen Group Representative (Meals on Wheels)
Karen Hickman is a longtime community advocate with over 30 years of experience in
public service and financial oversight. As a retired business owner and former treasurer
of several local non-profits, she has demonstrated commitment to fiscal responsibility
and transparency. Karen earned her Certification in Financial Planning (CFP) and Enrolled
Agent (EA) credentials, using them in her business. She is passionate about ensuring
taxpayer dollars are effectively managed to benefit the students and the community.
Measure P CBOC Selection Process and Responsibilities
As required by law, the SBCC Board of Trustees must appoint the members of the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee within 60 days of affirming the 2024 election results, which also occurred on December 19, 2024.
The Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee plays a critical role in ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of Proposition 39 bond revenues. According to Administrative Procedure (AP) 6740, the committee’s primary purpose is to:
• Inform the public about the expenditure of Proposition 39 bond revenues;
• Review and report on the proper expenditure of Proposition 39 funds for facility construction; and
• Advise the public on the District’s compliance with Proposition 39 requirements as outlined in the California Constitution.
Members of the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee may engage in the following activities:
• Reviewing annual independent performance and financial audits;
• Inspecting facilities and grounds to verify proper use of bond revenues;
• Reviewing deferred maintenance proposals or plans; and
• Assessing the District’s efforts to maximize bond revenues through cost-saving measures.
Membership Requirements
The committee must include at least seven members who serve without compensation for a term of two years, with a maximum of three consecutive terms. Members must meet the following criteria:
• One member active in a business organization representing the local business community;
• One member active in a senior citizens’ organization;
• One member active in a bona fide taxpayer organization;
• One student currently enrolled at SBCC and appointed by the Associated Student Government (the student may serve up to six months after graduation or certificate completion);
• One member active in the support and organization of the District, such as a member of an advisory council or foundation; and
• Two members from the community at large.